Date: 27th May 2012
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
IPL 2012 FINAL: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings
After 3 years of pain, agony and the heartbreak of a playoff loss in 2011, Kolkata Knight Riders were on the cusp of glory. Chasing 191, we were coasting along to our target when suddenly a spurt of wickets meant that CSK were snatching the game away from us.
16 runs were required off 7 balls! On strike was our Knight from Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan. A full toss from Ben Hilfenhaus followed. Unfortunately Shakib could only manage a top-edge as Murali Vijay completed the catch, running in from midwicket.
However on that sultry evening at Chennai, luck was on our side. This delivery from Hilfenhaus was declared as a no-ball as the southpaw and his partner ran across for 2 runs. Next ball, a full toss again on the leg side and our street-smart all-rounder scooped it over the head of short fine leg for a boundary. 7 runs scored in 1 balls! Target brought down to 9 runs for the last over.
What happened next is etched in history as we finally won our first IPL title. However without that contribution in the 19th over from Shakib, that victory may well have remained just a dream.
Talking about that epic night to Star Sports in the show Knightclub, the number one ranked all-rounder across all formats, stated that evening has a special place in his heart.
“Playing that match (IPL final in 2012) and chasing down that total was a very special feeling for me. I have been playing with KKR for so long, it’s like a second home to me. After (the) national team, I play with KKR most of the time. The atmosphere is terrific at Eden Gardens. You don’t get that anywhere else. There are feelings for the team and I want KKR to win the title this year,” said Shakib.
Having made his IPL debut with us in 2011, Shakib has contributed with important runs and wickets over the last six seasons In 42 games, he has scored 497 runs at a strike rate of 130.44. With the ball, he has been very effective capturing 43 wickets at an economy rate of 7.10.
With our first game in IPL 2017 exactly a week away, the famed all-rounder cannot wait to set foot in Kolkata again for more than one reason.
“The favourite thing about Kolkata is the language and culture. We (Bangladesh) speak the same language. So I feel at home (in Kolkata),” he said.
We can’t wait for your homecoming Shakib.
#DusKiDahaad #AmiKKR
